Mary Garrison, LCSW, ACSW East Central District Chair
Happy Spring! It has been one year since we entered into a global pandemic, and although you may not be feeling strong or like you have survived, you have! Please remember to give yourself grace and take time for YOU. We have made it through such a challenging time, but we know that we are not yet at the end. As you know, you are ESSENTIAL, and being essential in our work means taking care of yourself first – be self-focused!
Welcome to our newest members and to those that have renewed your membership. We are so glad you are a part of the NASW-Illinois Chapter family.
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter Elections
The 2021 NASW-Illinois Chapter Elections for open positions on the chapter board of directors will take place from April 1–30, 2021. An article featuring all candidates and their bios will go live on the chapter ‘News’ page that day while election ballots will be sent out via SurveyMonkey later on. Please be sure to have your selections ready before opening the electronic ballot as the ballot link can only be opened once. Remember to take time and vote in this year’s chapter elections!
2021 Virtual Advocacy Day
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Join us for a day of advocacy with other social work professionals and students as we virtually descend upon the state capital in Springfield! The day will include a morning educational session (3.0 CEUs) on emerging issues and updates on up-to-the-minute legislation currently up for vote in the Capitol. Unite your voices with hundreds of other social work colleagues on issues that affect the social work profession in Illinois by taking part in in this virtual day of advocacy. Read more here: https://www.naswil.org/post/announcing-2021-virtual-advocacy-day
Call for Presenters! 2021 NASW Chapters Conference
DEADLINE: Monday, April 12, 2021
The NASW-Illinois Chapter is opening a call for presentations that are creative, interactive, and audience-engaged. We are seeking one-hour presentations that are creative, interactive, and audience-engaged. Proposals should have dynamic presenters who can lead social workers through discussions and peer-sharing about topics relating to social work practice and must fulfill IDFPR requirements for CEU education. Read more here: https://www.naswil.org/post/call-for-presenters-2021-nasw-chapters-conference
2021 NASW-IL Social Work Awards
DEADLINE: July 30, 2021
Nominations are now being accepted for the annual NASW-Illinois Chapter Social Work Awards! This year, we are looking for outstanding individuals whose work has supported and promoted the social work profession and the people it serves. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, July 30, 2021. Find out more here: https://www.naswil.org/post/accepting-nominations-for-the-2021-social-work-awards
OTHER NEWS
New NASW Practice Alert: New Federal Rule Provides Patients with Access to Records: https://www.naswil.org/post/new-nasw-practice-alert-new-federal-rule-provides-patients-with-access-to-records
NASW Calls for an End to Hate, Racism and Gun Violence Against Asian Americans: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-calls-for-an-end-to-hate-racism-and-gun-violence-against-asian-americans
Spring 2021 FAQ for Graduating Illinois Social Work Students: https://www.naswil.org/post/spring-2021-faq-for-graduating-illinois-social-work-students
NASW applauds Congress for passing President Biden's COVID-19 American Rescue Plan: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-applauds-congress-for-passing-president-biden-s-covid-19-american-rescue-plan
Sen. Peters Advances NASW-IL Initiative That Pushes DCFS to Help with Financial Aid: https://www.naswil.org/post/sen-peters-advances-nasw-il-initiative-that-pushes-dcfs-to-help-with-financial-aid
NASW Practice Perspectives: Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT): https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-practice-perspectives-alcohol-screening-brief-intervention-and-referral-to-treatment-sbirt
NASW-IL Publishes Workforce Evaluation Report: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-il-publishes-workforce-evaluation-report
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It!): Updates on Licensure Renewal & Telehealth Practice During COVID-19
Telehealth Services Extended in Illinois through April 3, 2021: https://www.naswil.org/post/telehealth-services-extended-in-illinois-through-april-3-2021
In-Person CEU Requirements Waived by IDFPR: https://www.naswil.org/post/breaking-news-nasw-il-efforts-successful-in-getting-in-person-ceu-requirements-waived-by-idfpr
Updates on telehealth practice in IL: https://www.naswil.org/post/updates-on-the-telehealth-practice-during-covid-19
2019–2021 IDFPR Licensure Renewal Changes: https://www.naswil.org/post/2019-2021-idfpr-licensure-renewal-changes
For more news, go to the NASW-Illinois Chapter News page: https://www.naswil.org/blog